The mean, moody and marauding image of the Vikings will be dispelled at the forthcoming Jorvik Festival - with some events showing their softer side.

ON THE WARPATH: Marauding Vikings re-enact a battle

Those who thought that the Vikings did little more than fight and pillage will soon see how Scandinavians were expert at craft and design long before Ikea came along.

Delia Smith and the makeover experts on TV's Changing Rooms would be put to shame by the skills that will be showcased in the Close-Up Encampment - an indoor version of last year's outdoor event under the banner of the Vapnatak Festival.

The encampment is a unique living history, with people cooking and performing tasks from weaving and spinning to making jewellery and weapons.

Dressed in full Viking attire, the Viking families will be open to questions from visitors, and may even tell a tale or two as they are hard at work preparing food outside their tents.

For those who want to hear about what their modern-day descendants are up to, they can listen to the visiting Norwegian Ensemble for Medieval Music performing Aurora Borealis in St Olave's Church in York, on February 26 at 11.30am.

The musicians have a background in traditional music and extensive knowledge of medieval arrangement, techniques and styles.

The ensemble focuses on the medieval ballads from the Nordic countries and the parts of the British Isles that were under Norwegian rule in the 13th century.

The Festival launches with a grand opening ceremony on Thursday, February 24, outside the Jorvik Viking Centre in Coppergate.

This includes the Tales of the Viking Age - a free show staged by costumed story tellers recounting tales from ancient Viking sagas.

Friday's festivities include a promenade performance of Erik and Egil, a journey back in time to follow the fortunes of King Erik Bloodaxe and his enemy Egil Skallagrimsson.

Saturday's events open with a free boat parade and regatta opening - a chance to see the traditional Norwegian boats up close, followed by the Longships Regatta.

In the evening from 5.30pm, York's first Son et Lumiere show gets under way. This replaces the traditional boat-burning ceremony.

On the final day of the festival - Sunday - the Close-Up Encampment and Working Craft Gallery take place, at the Museum Gardens and Merchant Adventurers' Hall respectively.

For more information and prices for all the events during the Jorvik -- call 01904 636668, or log-on to the website at www.jorvik-viking-centre.co.uk

See Whatson on listing for full details

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